President George W. Bush is expected to make his first legislative move after only three full days in office when he sends his education reform legislation to Congress today. Experts are concerned about what the president's proposals might mean to students at universities throughout the country.
Bush's plan is expected to increase state control of education standards and federal funds while limiting federal intervention in addressing failing school systems. In addition, a substantial amount of money will be devoted to school vouchers and charter schools - possibly as much as $300 million. The proposals are also expected to place emphasis on accountability by having schools test reading and math skills more regularly.
Higher education will likely receive a considerable amount of attention in the Bush plan, which is expected to include an increase in the maximum amount of Pell grants and opportunities for enhanced grants going to disadvantaged students. During his presidential campaign, Bush also promised to increase federal funding for historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic serving institutions. There may also be added opportunities for parents to save for their children's education if the maximum annual contribution to tax-free "education savings accounts" is raised from $500 to $5,000. Other higher education funding plans are also forecasted to be introduced during the Bush administration.
Despite a likely focus on literacy and early education systems, Bush's plan will have an impact on institutions of higher learning. Tufts professor and Director of Teacher Education Linda Beardsley said that she hopes the Bush administration realizes that universities are dealing with the same questions and problems as other schools.
"I think people are moving away from just teaching factoids and are realizing that a classroom can be a really vibrant environment," she said. "We [at Tufts] are exploring the question, 'What are some ways a liberal arts university can work in that community?'"
The relationship between universities and lower educational institutions is important on a national as well as local level, according to Beardsley, who works with the Malden, Medford, and Everett public school systems to facilitate Internet usage in the classroom through a federal grant. Tufts is also the recipient of another federal grant which works with the Somerville public schools to teach early algebra.
"I hope that whatever George W. Bush and his Secretary of Education [Rod Paige] do, they really start looking at the whole continuum through universities. I think universities are a little bit of an untapped resource," she said.
Education was a key campaign issue for Bush, who considers the reformation of Texas' education system as one of his greatest accomplishments. Bush and Secretary Paige, confirmed as a cabinet member just hours after Bush took the oath of office Saturday, promise to team up to continue such reform on a national level.
Paige, who was previously the Houston Superintendent of Schools, played an integral role in the state-wide education reform, and was selected largely for his ability to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their peers.
Paige will work with Bush to allow all students the same educational opportunities through proposals on school vouchers, charter schools, and incentive programs for teachers in inner-city schools.
While education is currently Bush's top priority, a tax cut proposal is expected soon. Tax cuts and education were among Bush's main campaign issues, but political science department chair James Glaser said that some compromising may have to be done in order for a bill to pass the divided Congress.
"You might see a modest tax cut, but not a big one like Bush is proposing," Glaser said. "I don't think we're going to see anything really dramatic from the administration... given how closely divided Congress is and given the incentive that creates for both sides."
One of the bills Glaser thinks may be approved soon is the McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform bill. "Bush will want to have some reform feather in his cap, and he may try to compromise with McCain and Feingold," Glaser said. "The more controversial things, I don't think will happen."
